Compositions containing antibacterial bis(imidazolium quaternary salts) and methods of using said salts

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to novel bis(imidazolium quaternary salts), a process for their manufacture, compositions containing them, and a method of preventing the growth of, or killing, bacteria by applying one of the novel imidazolium salts to a bacterially-infected environment.

United States Patent Edwards Oct. 7, 1975 COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING ANTIBACTERIAL BISUMIDAZOLIUM [52] US. Cl. 424/273; 424/54 QUATERNARY SALTS) AND METHODS OF [5 l] Int. Cl.?... A6lK7/22;A0lN9/22;A61K 31/415 USING SAID SALTS [58] Field Of sflil'ch i 424/49-58, 424/273 Inventor: Philip Neil Edwards, Macclesfield,

England Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, London, England Filed: July 29, 1974 Appl. No: 492,841

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 293,058, Sept. 28, I972, Patv No. 3,853,907,

Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 14, 1971 United Kingdom 47796/7I Primary ExaminerRichard L. Huff Attorney, Agent, or FirmCushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure relates to novel bis(imidazolium quaternary salts), a process for their manufacture, compositions containing them, and a method of preventing the growth of, or killing, bacteria by applying one of the novel imidazolium salts to a bacterially-infected environment.

10 Claims, No Drawings COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING ANTIBACTERIAL BIS(IMIDAZOLIUM QUATERNARY SALTS) AND METHODS OF USING SAID SALTS This is a division of application Ser. No. 293,058 filed Sept. 28, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,853,907.

This invention relates to novel imidazole derivatives which possess valuable antibacterial properties.

According to the invention there is provided an imidazole derivative of the formula:

wherein R and R are hydrogen atoms, or R and R together form a fused benzene ring; R is an alkyl radical of 6 to 14 carbon atoms, a benzyl radical bearing to chlorine substituents in the benzene ring thereof, or a 3-alkoxy-2-hydroxypropyl radical wherein the alkoxy part is of 4 to 8 carbon atoms; R is a hydrogen atom, or an amino radical, or an alkyl radical of l to 3 carbon atoms; (X.X represents two mono-anions or a di-anion; and A is a linking group selected from:

2. CH .CH(OH).CH

6. (CH ),.Z.(CH J,- whereinn is2to 12,m is l or2,pisOto 2,ris l to4, and Z is a phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy radical, or an alkylenedioxy radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

When R is an alkyl radical it is preferably a straight chain alkyl radical, for example an n-octyl, n-decyl or n-dodecyl radical.

When R is an optionally substituted benzyl radical, it is preferably a 4-chloroor 2,4-dichloro-ben2yl radical.

When R is a 3-alkoxy-2-hydroxypropyl radical, the alkoxy part is preferably a straight chain alkoxy radical of from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, for example an n-heptyloxy radical.

When R is an alkyl radical, it is preferably a methyl radical.

When (X.X represents two mono-anions, suitable anions are, for example, halide ions, for example chloride or bromide anions, or anions derived from a sulphonic acid, for example the methanesulphonate or toluene-p-sulphonate anions, or anions derived from a carboxylic acid, for example the benzoate anion; and when (X.X represents a dianion, a suitable dianion is, for example, the sulphate or hydrogen phosphate anion.

When A is a linking group of the formula 1, a particu larly suitable value of n is 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12.

When A is a linking group of the formula 3, a particularly suitable value of p is 0.

When A is a linking group of the formula 4, a particularly suitable value for m is l and for n is 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12.

When A is a linking group of the formula 6, a particularly suitable value for r is l, 2 or 3, and a particularly suitable name for Z is a phenylene, phenylenedioxy or naphthylene radical, each optionally substituted by chlorine atoms or methoxy or methyl radicals, for ex ample an 0- or p-phenylene, a 2,5dimethyl-l ,4-phenylene, a 2,5-dimethoxy-l,4-phenylene, a 2,4,5,6tetrachlorol ,3-phenylene, a 1,5-naphthylene or a l,4-phe nylenedioxy radical, or Z is a straight chain alkylenedioxy radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, for example a hexylenedioxy radical.

A particular group of compounds of the invention are those of the formula I wherein R and R are hydrogen atoms or R and R together form a fused benzene ring; R is a straight chain alkyl radical of from 8 to 10 carbon atoms, a 4-chlorobenzyl radical or a 2,4-dichlorobenzyl radical; R is hydrogen or a methyl radical; (X.X represents two chloride, bromide or me thanesulphonate anions; and A is a linking group selected from linking groups of the formula [-6.

A particular sub-group within the above group comprises those compounds where R, R", R and (X.X are as above and A is an o-, mor p-phenylene radical, each optionally substituted by one or more chlorine atoms or methoxy or methyl radicals.

A further particular sub-group within the above group comprises those compounds where R, R, R and (X.X are as above and A is a linking group of the formula 4 in which m is l and n is an even number between 4 and 12.

Yet a further particular sub-group within the above group comprises those compounds where R, R", R and (X.X are as above and A is a linking group of the formula 1 in which n is an even number between 4 and 12.

Particular imidazole derivatives of the invention are described in Examples 1 to 5 and of these, specially preferred derivatives are those in which (X.X is selected from two chloride and two bromide ions and the diimidazolium cation is l,l l,2xylylene)di( 3-ndecyl-imidazolium bromide) (for example compound 12 l,l -octa-methylenebis( carbamoylmethyl )di( 3-n decylimidazolium chloride) (for example compound 21), 1,1'decamethylenebis(carbamoyl-methyl)di(3-noctylimidazolium chloride (for example compound 22) and 1,1'-decamethylenebis(3-n-decyl-2- methylimidazolium bromide) (for example compound 47).

According to a further feature of the invention there is provided a process for the manufacture of the imidazole derivative of the invention, A. R, R R and R having the meanings stated above. which comprises:

a. the quaternisation of an imidazole derivative of the formula:

N\ N AN L H with a quaternising agent of the formula R Y wherein Y is as above,

c. for the preparation of those compounds in which X and X are monovalent anions, the quaternisation of an imidazole derivative of the formula:

R N N with a quaternising agent of the formula Y-A-Y wherein Y and Y which may be the same or different, have the meanings stated above;

d. for the preparation of those compounds in which X and X are monovalent anions, the quaternisation of an imidazole derivative of the formula IV with a quaternising agent of the formula:

LII

wherein Y has the meaning stated above; or

e. in order to convert one imidazole derivative of the invention into another, the reaction of a derivative of the formula:

with a salt of the formula D*.( X D*.(X or D*B*.(X .X") wherein (X .X and (X .X) represent different groups of two monovalent anions or a divalent anion falling within the above definition of (X.)( in a metathetical reaction; the salt of the formula D506), D*.(X or D B .(X".X may be a soluble salt, for example a water soluble salt, or it may be an insoluble salt, for example an ion exchange resin.

The reactions (a), (b), (c) and (d) are preferably carried out by heating the reactants together with or without an additional diluent or solvent.

The compounds of the invention possess valuable antibacterial properties in that they kill a wide range of both Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria as demonstrated by serial dilution assay. They are therefore useful as general environmental antiseptics and disinfectants, as pre-operative skin antiseptics, and they are also useful in dental hygiene, for example for inhibiting the formation of dental plaque or in the treatment or prevention of gingivitis.

Thus, according to a further feature of the invention, there is provided a composition comprising an imidazole derivative of the invention together with an inert diluent or carrier.

The composition of the invention may be a pharmaceutical composition, for example in the form of a lozenge suitable for oral administration, a sterile mouthwash, paste, gel or fluid suspension suitable for use in dental hygiene for the inhibition of dental plaque formation and in the treatment of gingivitis, or an ointment, cream, or a sterile aqueous or oily solution or suspension for topical use; or it may be a non-phan maceutical composition, for example an aqueous or oily solution or suspension, or an aerosol, for use as a general, environmental antiseptic or disinfectant.

The composition may contain conventional excipients and carriers, and may be manufactured by the application of conventional techniques.

Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are lg lozenges, each containing from 1 to 10mg. of a compound of the invention; powder or tablets for dissolution in water to give an aqueous solution suitable for use as an antiseptic; mouthwashes containing between 0.05% and 0.5% (at user dilution) of a compound of the invention; toothpastes and dental gels containing between 0.05% and 1.0%, preferably between 01% and 0.5% of a compound of the invention; and an aqueous solution suitable for use as an antiseptic and containing from 0.02 to 1.0% ofa compound of the inventionv A preferred non-pharmaceutical compo sition is an aqueous solution in the form of a concentrate containing from 1% to that percentage which gives aturated solution of .2 compound of the in\cn tionv The invention is illustrated but not limited by the following Examples:

EXAMPLE 1 l I" I u 3 62: 6 1 2 R-N N A" \"/N"' (X-X) Not A R" X X' Crysmllisation M.p. solvent (C.)

2 (CH,j n-decyl Br acetone/ethyl 61-65 acetate 3 (CH n-decyl Br 91-92 4 (CH n-decyl Br acetone/ethyl 55-5R acetate 5 (CH,),, 4 chloro Br ITS-I28 henzyl 5 (CH 2.4-dichl0ro- Br acetone! l45-l46 benzyl 7 2)|u n-decyl Br water (16-68 8 2)||, 2,4-dichloro- Br water 225-226 9 CH Q CH, n-decyl Cl acetonitrile llfi-| l8 10 CH-, CH, 4-chlnrr Cl ucetnnilrilc/ "dfi-24X ll CH CH,- 2.4-dichlor0- Cl ethanol/ether 247-248 benyyl l2 n-decyl Br ucetonitrile |9X-2ll0 l3 3 n-decyl (I ucetonitrilc 221 5-225 nn gm 14 004 n-decyl CI :icctonitrile loll-I02 15 C l n-decyl Cl acctonitn'le 2U3 2()5 -CH CH:-

C' Cl l6 n-decyl Cl water 23(](d) |7 (CH,) O 0(CH2)2 n-decyl Cl acetonilrile/ l4() 1 45 ethyl acetate l8 CH. .CO,NH(CH ndecyl Cl acetone/water l29-l32 NHiCOCH,

l9 CH,CO4NH(CH n octyl Cl acetone] 1 l2-I l4 NH.COCH acetonitrile CH,CO.NH(CH n-decyl Cl acetone/water l l5-l l8 decylimidazolium bromide formed in situ, and then cooled, and the residue was triturated with ether to give a white, crystalline solid. Crystallisation of this solid 1.1 '-ethylenebis( 3-ndecylimidazolium)-dibromide, m.p.250253C. (with from acetonitrile gave decomposition). (Compound 1).

The above process is repeated, replacing the ethylene dibromide by an equivalent quantity of the appropriate dihalide and l-decylimidazole by an equivalent quantity of the appropriate l-substituted imidazole to give the following compounds:

The l-p-chlorobenzylimidazole used as starting material in the above process may be prepared as follows:

Sodium hydride [584g of a 50% dispersion in oil) was washed free of oil with petroleum ether (b.p.6080C.), then stirred under nitrogen in dimethylformamide t lOml.) during the dropwise addition of a solution of imidazole (354g) in dimethylformamide (lOml.). After the addition and when evolution of hydrogen had ceased p-chlorobenzyl bromide was added dropwise, and the temperature allowed to rise to 60C. After addition of the bromide the mixture was left overnight, filtered, the solvent was evaporated and the residual yellow oil was distilled to yield lp-chloroben zylimidazole as a colourless oil b.p. l42l 46C at 0.01

torr.

In a similar manner but using ndecyl bromide, 3-nheptyloxy2-hydroxypropyl chloride or 2 4-dichlorobenzyl bromide in place of p-chlorobenzyl bromide, there was obtained l-n-decylimidazole. b.p,l l7l C. at 0.0] torr, l-(3'n-heptyloxy 2- hydroxypropyl)irnidazole b.p. l 70-l 80C at 0.05 torr and l(2,4-dichlorobenzyllimidazole: m.p,53-56C1 [after recrystallisation from petroleum ether (b.pbtP-SLPCJ], respectively The 3-n-heptyloxy 2hydroxypropyl chloride, h.p18U-8'l(1 at 002 torr, may be obtained by the reaction of epichlorhydrin and n-heptyl alcohol following the method described in J. Org. Chem, 1943, 8, 189.

The N.N'-decamethylenebis(a-chloracetamidc) used as starting material may be obtained as follows:

l lO-Diamino-n-decane (8.6g) was dissolved in the minimum quantity of cold methanol and methyl chloroacetate 108g.) was added The mixture was stirred for 18 hours, excess water added and the white precipitate recrystallised from isopropanol to give N,N-decamethylenebis(a-chloracetamide), m.p.123l23.5C.

In a similar manner, but using l l 2-diamino-n-dodecane in place of l,lO diamino-n-decane, there was ob tained N,N'-dodecamethylenebis(a-chloracetamide), m.p.l22l24C. from isopropanol.

EXAMPLE 2 The process described in Example 1 was repeated using an appropriate dihalide in place of ethylene dibromide, and an appropriate l-substituted benzimid azole or l-substituted-2-aminobenzimidazole in place of Ln-decylimidazole, to give the following compounds:

may be obtained by a similar process to that described in the second part of Example 1 for the preparation of l-p-chlorobenzylimidazole, but starting from the appropriate benzimidazole and the appropriate alkyl bro mide. There were thus obtained:

l-ndecylbenzimidazole, b.p.lS8l6UC, at 0.0l

torr. l-n-octylbenzimidazole bp.l48l60C. at 002 torr. The Z-aminol -n-decylbenzimidazole,

m1p.59-6lC., used as starting material may be ob tained by the process described in the last part of Ex ample l for the preparation of l-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl- )imidazole, replacing imidazole by Z-aminobenzimidazole, and 2.4-dichlorobenzyl bromide by n-decyl bromide.

EXAMPLE 3 The process described in Example 1 was repeated using an appropriate dihalide in place of ethylene dibromide and an appropriate substituted imidazole in place of l-n-decylimidazole, to give the following com- No. A R R" X=X crystallisation Mp. solvent ("C.)

33 -(CH,) n-octyl H Br acetone 90-93 34 (CH n-C,H, .,O H Cl 90.5-92

CH.,CH (OH)CH 35 (CH n-decyl H Br water 65-68 36 -CH,CH(OH)CH, n-octyl H Br acetonc/aceto- 152-154 nitrile 37 CH,CH(OH)CH,- n-decyl H Br acetone/aceto 158-160 nitrile 38 CH,CH(OH)CH, n-dodecyl H Br acetone/aceto- 154-157 nitrile 39 (CH ),O(CH n-decyl H Cl acetone 63-65 40 CH,CO1NH(CH n-octyl H Cl acetone/aceto 97-101 NHVCOCH, nitrile 41 CH CO.NH(CH 2.4-di- H Cl acetone/water 2525-2535 NH.COCH, chlorobenzyl 42 CH,CO.NH(CH-,) 2,4-di- H Cl acetone/water 237-2385 NHCOCH chlorobenzyl 43 CH,CO.NH(CH O n-decyl H Cl 58-61 (CH NH.C0CH, 44 -CH.;CONH(CH,);O n-octyl H Cl acetone 85.5-87

(CH2)|$O(CH2)3 NHCOCH, 45 2 2- n-decyl H Cl acetonitrile 201-205 46 (CH,L n-decyl CH Br ucetonitrile 296-298 47 -(CH J n-decyl CH Br acetone 77-79 48 -CH CO1NH(CH,),, n-decyl CH Cl acetone 104-106 NHCOCH n-decyl CH; Br acetonitrile 210-213 49 -CH l Acetone sulvatc The N,N 4,1 l-dioxatetradecamethylene )bis( 11- chloracetamide) and N,N'-(6-oxaundecamethylene)- bis(a-chloroacetamide) used as starting materials may be prepared by repeating the last part of Example 1 using 1 ,14-diamino-4,l 1-dioxa-n-tetradecane and 1,11-diamino-6-oxa-n-undecane respectively in place of 1,10-diamino-n-decane. The products have m.ps 91.592,5 on recrystallisation from petroleum ether (b1p.60-8OC.)/ethy1 acetate and l l6-l20C. respectively.

EXAMPLE 4 5 acetone to chloracetamide) and l,2-bischloromethylbenzcne re spectively in place of 1 molecular equivalent of pchlorobenzyl chloride. The products have m,ps

4Q 128l29C. on recrystallisation from acetonitrile, and

9l.5-92.5C. on recrystallisation from petroleum ether (b.p.60-80C. )/ethyl acetate, respectively.

EXAMPLE 5 A solution of sodium benzoate (0.58g.) in water (5ml.) was added to a solution of 1,l'-(1,2-xylylene)- di( 3-ndecyl-imidazolium chloride) (1.18g.) in water (20ml. and the resulting suspension was stirred for 30 minutes. The solid was filtered and recrystallised from give l,l'-(1,2-xylylene)di(3-ndecylimidazolium benzoate), m.p.105-1l5C. (Compound 51 )1 EXAMPLE 6 Compositions containing imidazole derivatives of the invention may be prepared from any imidazole derivative of the invention described in the foregoing Examples by conventional procedures as illustrated below. where, it is to be understood. the particular imidazole xylylene)di-imidaz01e and n-decyl bromide in place of ,0 derivative named may be replaced by an equipotent 1,1 -octamethylenebis( carbamoylmethyl )di-imidazole and n-decyl methanesulphonate respectively to give 1,1-( l ,2-xylylene)-di( 3-n-decylimidazolium bromide), m.p. 198-200C. on recrystallisation from acetonitrile. (Compound 12) The 1 ,1 '-octamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)diimidazole and l,1-(1,2-xylylene)di-imidazole used as starting materials in the above process may be prepared by repeating the second part of Example 1 using molecular equivalent of N.N'-octarnethylenebis(aamount of any other imidazole derivative of the invention.

Lozenge A mixture of sucrose (925g), magnesium stearate (1g), gum acacia (3g), water (3ml.) and 1,1- octamethylenebis-( carbamoylmethyl )di( 3-ndecylimidazolium chloride) (0.5g.) is blended and compressed into hard lozenges such that each weighs 1g., and contains 5mg. of the antibacterial pyridine derivative,

Antiseptic 1,1-Decamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)di(3-noctylimidazolium chloride) (0.5g) is dissolved in sterile distilled water (995ml.) to give a liquid composition suitable for use as an antiseptic.

Toothpaste A solution is prepared by stirring saccharin sodium (0.2g) in purified water (388ml) to which is then added isopropano] (4.0g) and glycerin (20g) (Solu tion I).

A mixture of oil of peppermint (0.6g) and oil of spearmint (0.3g) is added to Pluronic P75 (06g. Pluronic is a trade mark) followed by 1,1 '-decamethy1enedi( 3-n-decyl-2methylimidazolium bromide) (0.5g) and stirring is continued until a homogeneous solution is formed (Solution ll).

Solution 1 is slowly added to Solution II, with stirring, and natrosol ZSOHH 1g. natrosol is a trade mark) is then added, stirring being continued until hydration is complete. A mixture of dicalcium phosphate (20g), Neosyl E.T. (10g), titanium dioxide (1g) and dried aluminum hydroxide gel (1g) is then added and mixing is continued until a smooth and uniform paste is formed.

What we claim is:

1. An antibacterial composition comprising an an tibacterially effective amount of an imidazole derivative of the formula:

wherein R and R are hydrogen atoms or R and R to gethcr form a fused benzene ring; R is an alkyl radical of 6 to 14 carbon atoms, a benzyl radical bearing to chlorine substituents in the benzene ring thereof, or a B-alkoxyQ-hydroxypropyl radical wherein the alkoxy part is of 4 to 8 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or an amino radical or an alkyl radical of l to 3 carbon atoms; (X'.X represents two mono-anions or a dianion', and A is a linking group selected from:

whereinn is2to l2,m is l or2,pis0to 2,ris l t04 and Z is a phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy radical, or an alkylenedioxy radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, together with an inert diluent or carrier.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is 1,1 '-decamethylenebis( carbamoylmethyl)di-( 3noctylimidazolium chloride).

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is 1,1 '-dodecamethylenebis(carbamoylmethy])di (3-noctyl-imidazolium chloride).

AUN

12 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula:

wherein R and R are hydrogen; R is alkyl of 6 to 14 carbons, benzyl bearing 0 to 5 chlorines in the benzene ring thereof or 3-alkoxy-2-hydroxypropyl wherein the alkoxy part is of 4 to 8 carbons; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 3 carbons; (X.X represents two chloride, bromide, methanesulphonate, toluene-psulphonate or benzoate anions or a sulphate or hydrogen phosphate anion; and A is a linking group selected from 2. CH .CH(OH).CH

2)r- 2)r whereinnis2to l2,mis 1 or 2,pis0to 2,ris l to4 and Z is unsubstituted phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy, or one of these substituted by chlorine, methoxy or methyl, or alkylenedioxy of 2 to 12 carbons; and compounds of the formula:

wherein R is alkyl off) to 14 carbons; R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbons; (X. X represents two chloride, bromide, methanesulphonate, toluene-p-sulphonate or benzoate anions or a sulphate or hydrogen phosphate anion; and n is 2 to 12.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is one in which R is an n-octyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, 4- chlorobenzyl, 2,4-dichloro-benzyl or 3-n-heptyloxy-2- hydroxypropyl; R is hydrogen and A is a linking group selected from 2)n CH ,CH(OH),CH (CH .(OCH CH ),,.O(CH

(CH CO NH(CH ),,NH.CO(CH -CH CO.NH(CH 0(CH NH.COCH v 2 r- 2%- in which in formula 1, n is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, in formula 3, p is O, in formula 4, m is 1 and n is 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, and in formula 6, r is l, 2 or 3 and Z is 0- or p phenylene, 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-dime thoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2,4,5 ,fi-tetrachloro-l ,3-phenylene, 1,5-naphthylene, 1,4-phenylenedioxy or n-hexylenedioxy,

13 6. A method of preventing the growth of, or killing, bacteria which comprises applying to a bacteriallyinfected environment an imidazole derivative of the formula:

wherein R and R are hydrogen atoms or R together form a fused benzene ring; R is an alkyl radical of 6 to 14 carbon atoms, a benzyl radical bearing to chlorine substituents in the benzene ring thereof, or a 3-alkoxy-2-hydroxypropyl radical wherein the alkoxy part is of 4 to 8 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or an amino radical or an alkyl radical of l to 3 carbon atoms; (X.X represents two mono-anions or a dianion; and A is a linking group selected from:

2. CH .CH(OH).CH

2)r- 2)r wherein n is2to l2,m is l or2,pis0to 2,ris 1 to4 and Z is a phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy radical, or an alkylenedioxy radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is l,l -decam ethylcnebis( carbamoylmethyl )di-( 3-noctylimidazolium chloride).

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is 1,1'-dodecamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)di(3-noctylimidazolium chloride).

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula:

wherein R and R are hydrogen; R is alkyl of 6 to 14 carbons, benzyl bearing 0 to 5 chlorines in the benzene ring thereof or 3-alkoxy-2-hydroxypropyl wherein the alkoxy part is of 4 to 8 carbons; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 3 carbons; (XKXF' represents two chloride, bromide, methanesulphonate, toluene-psulphonate or benzoate anions or a sulphate or hydrogen phosphate anion; and A is a linking group selected from CH .CH(OH).CH (CH .(OCH CH p.O(CH (CH ),,,.CO.NH(CH ),,NH.CO(CH -CH CO.NH(CH O(CH NH.COCH (CH ),.Z.(CH whereinnisZto l2,m is l or 2,pis0to 2,ris l 104 and Z is unsubstituted phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy, or one of these substituted by chlorine, methoxy or methyl, or alkylenedioxy of 2 to l2 carbons; and compounds of the formula:

wherein R is alkyl off) to 14 carbons; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 3 carbons; (X'.X represents two chloride, bromide. methanesulphonate, toluene-p'sulphonate or benzoate anions or a sulphate or hydrogen phosphate anion; and n is 2 to 12.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is one in which R is an n-octyl, n-decyl, H-LlOdCCyl, 4- chlorobenzyl, 2,4-dichloro-benzyl or 3-n-heptyloxy2- hydroxypropyl', R is hydrogen or methyl; and A is a linking group selected from (CH n in which in formula 1, n is 2, 4, 6, 8, l0 or l2, in formula 3, p is O, in formula 4, m is l and n is 4, 6, 8, l0 or 12, and in formula 6, r is l, 2, or 3 and Z is 0- or pphenylene, 2,5dimethyl-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-dimeth0xy-1,4-phenylene, 2,4,5,6-tetrachlorol ,3-phenylenc, 1,5-naphthylene, l,4-phenylenedioxy or nhexy lenedioxy.

eww- 

1. AN ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING AN ANTIBACTERIALLY EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF AN IMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVE OF THE FORMULA:
 2. -CH2.CH(OH).CH2-
 2. -CH2.CH(OH).CH2-
 2. -CH2.CH(OH).CH2-
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is 1,1''-decamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)di-(3-n-octylimidazolium chloride).
 2. -CH2.CH(OH).CH2-
 2. -CH2.CH(OH).CH2-
 2. -CH2CH(OH).CH2-
 3. -(CH2)2.(OCH2CH2)p.O(CH2)2-
 3. -(CH2)2.(OCH2CH2)p.O(CH2)2-
 3. -(CH2)2.(OCH2CH2)p.O(CH2)2-
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is 1,1''-dodecamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)di (3-n-octyl-imidazolium chloride).
 3. -(CH2)2.(OCH2CH2)p.O(CH2)2-
 3. -(CH2)2.(OCH2CH2)p.O(CH2)2-
 3. -(CH2)2.(OCH2CH2p.O(CH2)2-
 4. -(CH2)m.CO.NH(CH2)nNH.CO(CH2)m-
 4. -(CH2)mCO.NH(CH2)nNH.CO(CH2)m-
 4. -(CH2)mCO.NH(CH2)NNH.CO(CH2)m-
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula:
 4. -(CH2)m.CO.NH(CH2)nNH.CO(CH2)m-
 4. -(CH2)m. CO NH(CH2)nNH.CO(CH2)m-
 4. -(CH2)m. CO NH(CH2)nNH.CO(CH2)m-
 5. -CH2CO.NH(CH2)5O(CH2)5 NH.COCH2-
 5. -CH2CO.NH(CH2)5O(CH2)5NH.COCH2-
 5. -CH2CO.NH(CH2)5O(CH2)5NH.COCH2-
 5. -CH2CO.NH(CH2)5O(CH2)5NH.COCH2- or
 5. -CH2CO.NH(CH2)5O(CH2)5NH.COCH2- or
 5. -CH2CO.NH(CH2)5O(CH2)5NH.COCH2-
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the derivative is one in which R3 is an n-octyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 2,4-dichloro-benzyl or 3-n-heptyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl; R4 is hydrogen and A is a linking group selected from
 6. -(CH2)r.Z.(CH2)r-wherein n is 2 to 12, m is 1 or 2, p is 0 to 2, r is 1 to 4 and Z is unsubstituted phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy, or one of these substituted by chlorine, methoxy or methyl, or alkylenedioxy of 2 to 12 carbons; and compounds of the formula:
 6. -(CH2)r.Z.(CH2)r-wherein n is 2 to 12, m is 1 or 2, p is 0 to 2, r is 1 to 4 and Z is a phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy radical, or an alkylenedioxy radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms.
 6. -(CH2)r.Z.(CH2)r-wherein n is 2 to 12, m is 1 or 2, p is 0 to 2, r is 1 to 4 and Z is a phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy radical, or an alkylenedioxy radical of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, together with an inert diluent or carrier.
 6. -(CH2)r.Z.(CH2)r-wherein n is 2 to 12, m is 1 or 2, p is 0 to 2, r is 1 to 4 and Z is unsubstituted phenylene, naphthylene or phenylenedioxy, or one of these substituted by chlorine, methoxy or methyl, or alkylenedioxy of 2 to 12 carbons; and compounds of the formula:
 6. -(CH2)r.Z. (CH2)r-in which in formula 1, n is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, in formula 3, p is 0, in formula 4, m is 1 and n is 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, and in formula 6, r is 1, 2 or 3 and Z is o- or p-phenylene, 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3-phenylene, 1,5-naphthylene, 1,4-phenylenedioxy or n-hexylenedioxy.
 6. A method of preventing the growth of, or killing, bacteria which comprises applying to a bacterially-infected environment an imidazole derivative of the formula:
 6. -(CH2)r.Z.(CH2)r-in which in formula 1, n is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, in formula 3, p is 0, in formula 4, m is 1 and n is 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, and in formula 6, r is 1, 2, or 3 and Z is o- or p-phenylene, 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3-phenylene, 1,5-naphthylene, 1,4-phenylenedioxy or n-hexylenedioxy.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is 1,1''-decamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)di-(3-n-octylimidazolium chloride).
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is 1,1''-dodecamethylenebis(carbamoylmethyl)di(3-n-octylimidazolium chloride).
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula:
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the derivative is one in which R3 is an n-octyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 2,4-dichloro-benzyl or 3-n-heptyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl; R4 is hydrogen or methyl; and A is a linking group selected from 